Chinese restaurants and supermarkets in Paramaribo, and roads, bridges, hospitals, and stadiums built with China’s support.

For 49 years, China and Suriname have respected, trusted, and supported each other. Our relationship is a model of equality between nations and solidarity in the Global South. Suriname firmly upholds the One-China principle and actively supports China’s vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. China, in turn, backs Suriname’s independent development and provides assistance within its capacity.

In recent years, political trust has deepened. Exchanges between governments, legislatures, political parties, and local communities have flourished. Practical cooperation has advanced steadily. Our coordination in international and regional affairs has been strong. In 2019, our ties were elevated to a strategic partnership of cooperation, and Suriname became one of the first Caribbean nations to join the Belt and Road Initiative. Last April, President Santokhi’s successful state visit to China set a grand vision for our future.

China-Suriname friendly cooperation has borne fruits in multitudes. China-built roads and bridges connect Suriname’s cities and countryside, upgrading infrastructure. The Wanica Hospital played a key role in Suriname’s pandemic response. The Agricultural Technology Cooperation Center boosts farming efficiency and incomes, winning praise from local farmers.

China actively supports Suriname’s training and  development of human resources. Chinese investments continue to grow, and bilateral trade hits record highs. Cultural exchanges thrive. The Chinese Embassy’s "Touch China" events are widely popular. The Confucius Institute at Anton de Kom University’s "Chinese Bridge" competition fosters youth connections. Chinese art troupes amaze Surinamese audiences with world-class performances. Suriname, the first Western Hemisphere country to make Chinese New Year a national holiday, benefits from its vibrant Chinese community, which strengthens both Suriname’s society and our bilateral ties.

China-Suriname friendly cooperation has a bright Future. China’s Global Initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative match Suriname’s needs, offering important platforms for deeper cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, fishing, telecommunication, energy, mining, digital economy, and green development. The recently held Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing marked another milestone. Representatives from Suriname and across Latin America witnessed the launch of the five major programs of solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people ties—charting a clear path for China-Latin America cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for China-Suriname partnership. China stands ready to work with Suriname to embark on a new journey of friendship and cooperation, building an even brighter future together.

Author: H.E. Lin Ji, Chinese ambassador to Suriname